Thursday, October 18, 2007

October Auction Results for Wolcott Photograph

"Winter Visitor's Picnic on Running Board of Car, Sarasota, Florida" was photographed in 1941 by Marion Post Wolcott while on assignment for the Farm Security Administration.

A 1980s print signed by the photographer was sold on October 15, 2007 by Swann Auction Galleries in New York. The 6 1/2 by 9 inch gelatin-silver print had an auction estimate of $2,000 to $3,000 and sold for $2,200.

The Modern Original print, from the same negative, is $85 from Argent Editions. Larger prints are also available.

Alexander Gardner/David Knox at Auction

"Mortar Dictator in Front of Petersburg, Virginia" was auctioned on October 15, 2007 by Swann Auction Galleries in New York. The auction estimate was $2,500 to $3,500 for the 7 x 9 inch 1865 Albumen print. The photograph sold for $3,200.The photograph depicts a 13-inch mortar named "Dictator" and several men posing behind. The mortar is said to have fired its 200-pound projectile 2.7 miles into Center Hill, in Petersburg.

Modern Original prints from an alternate negative will be offered by Argent Editions starting at $85.

In comparing the two photographs, the primary difference is in the attire of the men posing. In the Argent Editions print, the men are wearing less-formal attire. The photographs appear to have been made on the same day, from the same camera position. Notice the similarity in shadow angles from the sun and the same position of objects within the frame.


Argent Editions is very pleased to offer a photograph of such high quality and historical significance.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Brattleboro Historical Society

It should be no secret that I love looking through old photographs. One of the great untapped treasures is the photo collection of the Brattleboro, VT Historical Society. They've carefully scanned hundreds of glass plate negatives of the town, its people, businesses, and homes.

The catalog is available online for browsing and the site has information on photo research, image usage rights, and other services available.

It's my hope that as the costs associated with archiving and publishing these and other great collections of historic photographs decline, there will be more local organizations doing this work and showing off their histories too.

Note Cards Now Available

After several requests for a more accessible product line, we've decided to offer note cards featuring Argent Editions photographs.

The note cards are available in sets of 10, with envelopes, for $12.95. The cards are 4.25" x 5.5" on 12pt card stock with an aqueous coating on the outside, but blank and uncoated on the inside to accept your printed, stamped or handwritten message.

Expect some Winter holiday-themed selections around the beginning of November 2007. The first cards shipping are of New York City picture "Photographer on the 33rd Floor of the Met Life Building, 1908."

For more information about product lines or for wholesale inquiries, visit the contact form or call (212) 714-7065.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

October Special, 25% Off Your Next Order

Argent Editions is offering a 25% discount on your next order. The offer is good through October, 2007. To redeem, visit argenteditions.com and download the .pdf coupon. The coupon contains a discount code to be used during online checkout.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Walker Evans Photograph Available

I've always been a fan of Walker Evans' photographs. This is the first one of his pictures to be available on Argent Editions. The Farm Security Administration employed many of the best photographers we've yet seen and Evans was one of them. "Coca-Cola Shack, Selma, Alabama" is emblematic of the pictures Evans made for the FSA as well as of the work he did when not employed by the U.S. government.

Shopping Cart Launch

The new Argent Editions site has launched. There are about fifty photographs in six collections.

Credit card processing is securely handled by PayPal. Choose from one of three standard sizes for your prints. Shipping will be free.